Thompson Memorial Chapel, on Lafayette Street, is closed down and locked up.

The 54-year-old owner, Reginald Thompson, was convicted of five felony counts for stealing from his customers, and now, state authorities are moving to revoke his funeral home license.

"He ripped off people of anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 each for the money that was supposed to go to their funerals in the future," said Russ Heimerich, a spokesman for the California Department of Consumer Affairs. "He was taking it and he was using it himself."

A dozen clients complained to the state's Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, saying they paid for pre-arranged funeral services, but got next to nothing when they needed help the most, after their relatives died.

"The day of the service, we are all gathered in the hot sun," said Stella Williams, a client of Thompson Memorial Chapel.

Williams told KCRA 3 last June there was "NO body. He didn’t bring him. He didn’t call."

Instead, Williams said, her relatives were shocked to get what they called a cardboard box, instead of the $700 metal casket her family paid for to bury her brother Rickey.

"Betrayed (is) one of the words I would say," Williams told KCRA 3. "I felt devastated. People would take time when you’re grieving to do something you grieve even worse."

Thompson was convicted in February for stealing from his elderly clients -- and then using the money -- an estimated $60,000 for his own personal gain.

Thompson now resides in the San Joaquin County Jail, where he works on the Honor Farm.

KCRA 3 tried interviewing him on Friday, but Thompson told authorities he didn't want to talk to anyone.

It's unclear at this point how he might compensate his victims, if at all.

Thompson was sentenced to six years in custody. He is eligible to serve part of that time under community supervision.

The Cemetery and Funeral Bureau urges consumers to thoroughly review policies for pre-funeral services before purchasing.